You Can Run: Gay, Glam, and Gritty Travels in South America

I love to travel - I have lived in many countries for extended periods for my entire career. However, I still get itchy feet, and at these times I turn to a good traveler's tale. This book was perfect - a hilarious, courageous and eye-popping journey through South America. I loved how the author has intertwined his many varied experiences - not always in chronological order - yet they perfectly tell the tale. You come away with an education of South America and a heartfelt realization of what it would have been like to be there side-by-side with the author. In fact, I was jealous that I wasn't there, and was experiencing the adventure only on paper. There are lots of themes in this book, but the one that I felt the strongest was: get going - there's so little time and there's so much to do. This book is a great adventure that will rekindle your excitement of discovery. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Jesse Archer's book - YOU CAN RUN - is an eccentric journey through the underbelly of an entire continent. From the top of the world at Machu Pichu to sea level on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro, Jesse's two-year adventure through South America with his on again, off again travel partner Zane is a wild comedy ride on foot, bus, scooter and train. His unique adventures are well out side the realm of my experience but he tells these stories with a credibility that exudes truth and a depth that will excite even the most staid armchair traveler. While reading this book on the beach in Honolulu I laughed so loud and so hard that complete strangers approached to ask what I was reading that was so very very funny. . . between giggles all I could manage was to show them the cover of this great new book. After finishing the book I am ready to follow the path Jesse has blazed through South America . . . I just intend to stay at much nicer hotels and find better restaurants!

I was fortunate enough to hear about this book through a friend. You Can Run, is a celebratory autobiography regarding the adventures of a renegade, crazy gay boy and his colorful comrades traveling in South America. Being a harsh critic of books, especially gay themed ones, and a huge sufferer of ADD, I was pleasantly surprised by the depth, humor and charm of this book. Jesse Archer is a master storyteller. His characters are rich and hysterical. It is sometimes hard to believe these characters exist, but we all know they do as Jesse brings them to life with master skills of a genuine wordsmith. I only wish I could meet them all. I found myself laughing out loud on many occasions, while reading this book at the most inopportune of times. His use of the English language is sublime and I found this book equally entertaining as I did well written. This book makes you want to quit your job, jump on a banana boat, and seek adventures someplace unknown, with less than $50 in your pocket. I only hope this is just the beginning for Jesse Archer, as I am very eager to see how he conquers traveling the other six continents with gayness, glam and grit. Until then, I will wait with great anticipation for his next work. I have purchased several copies of this book to send friends around the country. I highly recommend it! Mike Cavnaugh

I love Jesse and read his colum in OUT every month, he also has a great bolg. So, I was really expecting a good book. I definitely wasn't dissapointed. This is one of the funniest "true life adventure" reads ever. Jesse stumbles though South America with a lust for life and a sense of adventure that I really wish I had the guts for. He has a terrific sense of humor the entire way and educates you on many points of South American culture. I laughed all the way through this book and couldn't put it down. I definitely recommend this book and hope he writes many more.